Based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, a collection
of poems by T.S. Eliot, Cats--which containes no spoken
dialogue--revolves around the antics of such feline characters
as Old Deuteronomy, Jennyanydots, Mr. Mistoffelees, Rum Tum Tugger,
Skimbleshanks, Griddlebone, and Grizabella who sings the hit
song "Memory" before she ascends to cats' heaven at
play's end.

Originally produced at the New London Theatre on May 11, 1981,
Cats began its New York run at the Winter Garden Theatre
on October 7, 1982. The production featured Betty Buckley (Grizabella),
and like the London production which preceded it, the New York
version of Cats dazzled audiences with its imaginative
spectacle and story-telling flare. The original Broadway cast
also included Terrence V. Mann (Rum Tum Tugger), Stephan Hanan
(Asparagus), Timothy Scott ( Mr. Mistoffolees), Ken Page (Deuteronomy),
Reed Jones (Skimbleshanks), Bonnie Simmons (Griddlebone), Christine
Langner (Rumpleteazer), Rene Clemente (Mungojerrie), and Harry
Groener (Munkustrap). Although T.S. Eliot died in 1965, he received
a posthumous Tony Award 18 years later for his unwitting contributions
to the score.

On Sunday, September 10, 2000, Broadway's longest running
show finally hung up its whiskers, tails and toe shoes after
nearly 18 years and a record 7,485 performances.